Hi! Have lots of questions and just got a phal

[Bobbi Jo]

I am also really new here, but I seem to have pretty good luck with my Ochids so far.
I have been spending most of my time reading in the fourms and one thing I have learned is the best location for light is E./S. but not straight S. as it is too bright and hot. If that is your best window then they say you should have a sheer between your plants and the window when it is a very bright/hot day. Also humidity can be provided by setting some plants next to your orchid that requires a tray. It dosen't really matter what kind of plant as long as they don't compete for the same space height/width wise. Hope this helps some. You will like it here I sure do...Bobbi Jo

[RosieC]

Looks like you've had a lot of good advice. I just want to say welcome to orchid board

[NewtoOrchids]

Olivia and scy, Thanks so much for the advice! It's really helpful!

[abigaillevans]

I looked up the Better Gro Phalaenopsis Mix and it sounds similar. I found an image that shows the back of the bag as clear. The ingredients it lists are: Canadian chunk peat, western fir bark, hardwood charcoal, and coarse perlite. Do you think this might be the same thing?

That sounds about right! The peat will retain water for a little while, but it won't keep your plant too wet like the other mix will.

[NewtoOrchids]

Originally Posted by Bobbi Jo

I am also really new here, but I seem to have pretty good luck with my Ochids so far.
I have been spending most of my time reading in the fourms and one thing I have learned is the best location for light is E./S. but not straight S. as it is too bright and hot. If that is your best window then they say you should have a sheer between your plants and the window when it is a very bright/hot day. Also humidity can be provided by setting some plants next to your orchid that requires a tray. It dosen't really matter what kind of plant as long as they don't compete for the same space height/width wise. Hope this helps some. You will like it here I sure do...Bobbi Jo

Thanks Bobbi Jo! That does help! Everyone I've talked to is very nice and it makes it easy to ask questions (which is good cuz I have a ton. There's so much to learn!)

[NewtoOrchids]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Looks like you've had a lot of good advice. I just want to say welcome to orchid board

I have! Thank you! I look forward to learning more and chatting with everybody!

[NewtoOrchids]

Originally Posted by abigaillevans

That sounds about right! The peat will retain water for a little while, but it won't keep your plant too wet like the other mix will.

Awesome, so how often do you recommend watering? I'm thinking about giving that mix a try. I heard that it has some fertilizer in it, can you remember if it does? Should that be a good substitute for a separate fertilizer?

[zxyqu]

I dont know how much fertilizer that mix has or how long it lasts before you should start doing it yourself, hopefully someone else will know. but a standard rule for most phals, is water once the media just starts to dry out. Poke your finger deep into the media (or use a chopstick/etc). If it's wet, leave it a day or so, if not, water. When watering make sure to really flush the pot with water (carefully though, no water on the crown.) This will help remove any salt buildup.

[NewtoOrchids]

Thanks! What fertilizer would you recommend?

[abigaillevans]

Awesome, so how often do you recommend watering? I'm thinking about giving that mix a try. I heard that it has some fertilizer in it, can you remember if it does? Should that be a good substitute for a separate fertilizer?

Phals like water, but they have to dry out between waterings. Just like zxyqu said, test the media by sticking your fingers or a sharpened pencil down between the roots in the center of the pot to see if the media's still damp. If it is, leave it for another day or so until it's mostly dry.

I don't remember if the mix has fertilizer in it. If it does, I'd imagine that would suffice for your plant, particularly if you're using a blend specifically for Phalaenopsis. If it doesn't have fertilizer in it, I swear by the "weekly, weakly" system of fertilizing where you use a really diluted balanced fertilizer once a week. I wouldn't recommend that system if the mix does have fertilizer in it, as salt accumulation in the mix can mess up your plant.